Trouble With Consew 227R-2.. Needles Breaking, Stitch Length Changing..

[Char]

Hi guys, I'm new on here and to leather craft!

I just bought myself a reconditioned consew 227 planning to make handbags. I got it set up, and have managed to do some sewing, but I've been having some problems and I'm hoping someone else might be able to point me in the right direction..

First, the needles keep falling out when I'm sewing, and I've broken about 10. I am using the right ones, they are leather tips, and I have it inserted correctly. I think the needle set screw might be too worn, and also possibly the threads in the needle bar.. it's hard to see in there. It takes multiple tries to get the screw to kind of hold in there. Does this sound like the problem? When I am able to get the needle to stay in properly, it sews well. This has been happening right after I change the needle, so most of the ones I've broken are completely unused. I'm thinking about buying a replacement needle bar and set screw online..

Second, I had it working this morning, and tried to sew a bag I was making. It was fine on 2 layers of 2 or 3oz. leather, but when I went over the thicker seam, the stitch length went so small, I thought it would rip the leather. I had it set to the maximum. I'm guessing that's caused by some problem with the feeding.. I raised the feed dogs a few days ago, since the manual recommended it for sewing heavy materials. However, when i looked after trying to sew this morning, they were near their minimum height.. Is it possible that having the feed dogs too low would cause this to happen with the stitches? I think I might not have screwed it in tight enough/the presser foot pressure was extremely high and might have pushed it down. Any other thoughts on why it would do that? I was using a size 18 needle at the time.. was that too small for several layers of leather? I didn't want to change it because of the issue with the needles breaking.. *sigh*

Any help is appreciated! I can't find anyone in my area who fixes industrial machines, and it's a little big/heavy to try to move too far..

[Wizcrafts]

From your description of that machine, it hasn't really been reconditioned! It sounds like you will need to replace the needlebar needle securing screw. If the new screw doesn't hold the needle in tightly, the bar may need to be tapped to a large thread and hole size (with a new screw to match), or replaced altogether.

The stitch length changing that much, on a relatively thin seam sounds like a loose feed dog, or a loose or totally worn out upper feed mechanism, or an unusually loose stitch length adjuster knob.

You may be best to ship it to a qualified dealer on this forum, for professional repairs.

[neelsaddlery]

Couple of things to look at:

1. You said you are using a size 18 needle -- what size thread are you using? This does not really matter much with regard to the problems you are having with the feeding, but if you are too small of a needle with too large of a thread, you can really mess up a machine in a hurry.

2. For the feed issue, I would make sure the feed dog is set at about 1/32 to 1/16 of an inch above the level of the needle plate when it is in its highest position. I would leave it there and not change it.

3. For the feeding issue, I would take a good look at the ratio of walk height between the inside and the outside presser feet. It may be fine when you are sewing over a single thin layer of material, but if you get into the heavy stuff that can cause some problems. The inside foot should lift up when the outside foot is down, and the outside foot should lift up and clear the material when the inside foot is down. The ratio of the height of walk between inside and outside feet is one of the biggest issues we see when machines of this type do not feed correctly.

4. On all compound feed machines, you will get a smaller stitch when the thickness of the material increases a great deal. I do not think this is the problem in this case, but please keep that in mind. The only machines that will not change stitch length when material thickness is increased are the jump foot needle feed machines and also needle and awl machines.

5. Please check to make sure that the feed dog is moving in unison with the inside presser foot. If it is not, then there is a feed timing issue that needs to be addressed.

Hope this is of som help to you.

Hi guys, I'm new on here and to leather craft!

I just bought myself a reconditioned consew 227 planning to make handbags. I got it set up, and have managed to do some sewing, but I've been having some problems and I'm hoping someone else might be able to point me in the right direction..

First, the needles keep falling out when I'm sewing, and I've broken about 10. I am using the right ones, they are leather tips, and I have it inserted correctly. I think the needle set screw might be too worn, and also possibly the threads in the needle bar.. it's hard to see in there. It takes multiple tries to get the screw to kind of hold in there. Does this sound like the problem? When I am able to get the needle to stay in properly, it sews well. This has been happening right after I change the needle, so most of the ones I've broken are completely unused. I'm thinking about buying a replacement needle bar and set screw online..

Second, I had it working this morning, and tried to sew a bag I was making. It was fine on 2 layers of 2 or 3oz. leather, but when I went over the thicker seam, the stitch length went so small, I thought it would rip the leather. I had it set to the maximum. I'm guessing that's caused by some problem with the feeding.. I raised the feed dogs a few days ago, since the manual recommended it for sewing heavy materials. However, when i looked after trying to sew this morning, they were near their minimum height.. Is it possible that having the feed dogs too low would cause this to happen with the stitches? I think I might not have screwed it in tight enough/the presser foot pressure was extremely high and might have pushed it down. Any other thoughts on why it would do that? I was using a size 18 needle at the time.. was that too small for several layers of leather? I didn't want to change it because of the issue with the needles breaking.. *sigh*

Any help is appreciated! I can't find anyone in my area who fixes industrial machines, and it's a little big/heavy to try to move too far..

[Char]

Thanks! I think I'm going to order a new needle bar online.. they're pretty cheap and come with the set screw.. I don't really want to deal with getting just the screw, then finding out the problem is the bar too!

I think you're right about the feed dog being loose.. I have re-raised it and tightened it this morning, so hopefully when I'm able to replace the needle bar, that might have fixed it.. Fingers crossed! I'm trying to avoid having to send it anywhere because it's so heavy.. Took a lot of effort to get it into my house and set up!

From your description of that machine, it hasn't really been reconditioned! It sounds like you will need to replace the needlebar needle securing screw. If the new screw doesn't hold the needle in tightly, the bar may need to be tapped to a large thread and hole size (with a new screw to match), or replaced altogether.

The stitch length changing that much, on a relatively thin seam sounds like a loose feed dog, or a loose or totally worn out upper feed mechanism, or an unusually loose stitch length adjuster knob.

You may be best to ship it to a qualified dealer on this forum, for professional repairs.

[Char]

Wow thanks for all the info! I think the thread is probably a little big for the needle size.. It didn't have a number on it, but it's heavy-duty topstitching polyester.. It fits through the eye comfortably, but it does look quite thick.

I've just re-raised the feed dog (again..) and made sure it's in tightly.. I think the presser foot was coming down so hard on it that was actually knocking the feed dog back down.. I've reduced that pressure, and raised it's level a little.

I've messed around a little with the inside and outside presser feet, and it looks like it's working a little better.. I walked it over some leather (obviously without a needle in), and it seemed to feed better than it had been.. I would still like a little more lift to the outside foot, but it's going to take me a little while to work out how to get that adjusted right.. The manual is very confusing to us non-mechanically minded people!

Very very helpful, thanks so much!!

Couple of things to look at:

1. You said you are using a size 18 needle -- what size thread are you using? This does not really matter much with regard to the problems you are having with the feeding, but if you are too small of a needle with too large of a thread, you can really mess up a machine in a hurry.

2. For the feed issue, I would make sure the feed dog is set at about 1/32 to 1/16 of an inch above the level of the needle plate when it is in its highest position. I would leave it there and not change it.

3. For the feeding issue, I would take a good look at the ratio of walk height between the inside and the outside presser feet. It may be fine when you are sewing over a single thin layer of material, but if you get into the heavy stuff that can cause some problems. The inside foot should lift up when the outside foot is down, and the outside foot should lift up and clear the material when the inside foot is down. The ratio of the height of walk between inside and outside feet is one of the biggest issues we see when machines of this type do not feed correctly.

4. On all compound feed machines, you will get a smaller stitch when the thickness of the material increases a great deal. I do not think this is the problem in this case, but please keep that in mind. The only machines that will not change stitch length when material thickness is increased are the jump foot needle feed machines and also needle and awl machines.

5. Please check to make sure that the feed dog is moving in unison with the inside presser foot. If it is not, then there is a feed timing issue that needs to be addressed.

Hope this is of som help to you.

[Wizcrafts]

Thanks! I think I'm going to order a new needle bar online.. they're pretty cheap and come with the set screw.. I don't really want to deal with getting just the screw, then finding out the problem is the bar too!

I think you're right about the feed dog being loose.. I have re-raised it and tightened it this morning, so hopefully when I'm able to replace the needle bar, that might have fixed it.. Fingers crossed! I'm trying to avoid having to send it anywhere because it's so heavy.. Took a lot of effort to get it into my house and set up!

You might want to order a service manual, with the parts list and adjustment specs, from Consew. It will help a lot if parts are needed.

[albane]

You might want to order a service manual, with the parts list and adjustment specs, from Consew. It will help a lot if parts are needed.

The land of CONSEW!!

http://consew.com/default.aspx?pageId=4

http://consew.marginspluslive.com/images/products/parts%20books/227R-2.pdf

[onathread]

Hello to all! I am interested in the Consew 227R-2 machine. It would be a big purchase for me, so I'm trying to find out as much as possible out there as far as reviews go. I realize from research so far, that comparables are Techsew 2700, Cowboy 227, Singer etc. HELP!! I too make handbags, "heavy" quilted fabric just like the "popular" ones sold on the market. I sometimes work with leather, but not the real thick leather that would require the Cowboy 4. Would the Consew 227R easily go over "think" quilted layers? I plan on going up to dealer, and take some samples, but I still would love to have some feedback from someone out there? Thank You in advance for any help! Sincerely!

[Darren Brosowski]

The 227R - built by Seiko - is a great machine but keep in mind that many on the second hand market are ex factory machines and have done a million miles. A new machine with servo is often not much more by the time you get the old clunker, add a servo, fix all the problems and then PAY someone to help you get it going.

I have a customers 227R here where there is significant wear in the shuttle and drive gears. For the cost of fixing it I can just about supply him a new Chinese version of the Seiko CW-8B.

[onathread]

Thank You Darren! Definetinly something to be aware of!! This forum has been so helpful. Thanks Again! Suzanne )

[Darren Brosowski]

We do our best but sometimes we have to give people news that they do not want to hear.